South Dakota Receives Federal Funding to Support ICE Partnership and 287(g) Enforcement Efforts
- Steve Jurrens
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - Governor Larry Rhoden announced this week that the Trump Administration has awarded $150,418 to the South Dakota Highway Patrol (SDHP) to support its 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The state expects additional federal funding as operations continue.
Governor Rhoden said the investment strengthens South Dakota’s public‑safety mission.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and I am grateful that President Trump shares the same commitment to keeping our state and all of America safe,” Rhoden said. “Our partnership with ICE has delivered strong results, and I look forward to continuing to partner with the Trump Administration as we work to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.”
Funding Supports Trooper Training, Equipment, and Enforcement Tools
According to the Governor’s Office, the federal dollars will be used for personnel payroll, specialized field equipment, and IT stipends tied directly to coordinated enforcement efforts under the 287(g) program. SDHP currently has 40 state troopers participating, following an expansion announced on May 18.
Troopers have assisted in more than 204 immigration‑related arrests involving individuals unlawfully present in the United States who were encountered during routine patrols. Those cases included suspects accused of murder, assault on law enforcement, and felony and misdemeanor drug offenses.
Colonel Casey Collins, Superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol, said the partnership gives troopers critical tools.
“The 287(g) framework gives our troopers the training and access to federal resources needed to properly identify individuals we encounter during the course of our duties,” Collins said. “This program is a strong example of the partnerships that help us protect South Dakota’s communities.”
DOC and National Guard Continue Support Roles
The South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC) and South Dakota National Guard (SDNG) remain active partners in the state‑federal effort.
DOC has submitted additional inmates for parole to federal custody and deportation. So far, 25 inmates have been paroled directly to ICE custody. Four more were approved at the June parole board meeting and are currently being processed, with another four scheduled for consideration in July. The Governor’s Office notes that removing deportable inmates saves South Dakota taxpayers over $34,000 per inmate annually.
The SDNG’s deployment of seven guardsmen continues in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, where soldiers assist ICE officers in processing deportations. Through July 2, the Guard has helped process 807 illegal immigrants who have been deported out of South Dakota. Federal funds have covered all Guard costs.
Background: Rhoden Requested 287(g) Agreements for SDHP and DOC
Governor Rhoden previously activated the SDNG and submitted letters of intent requesting 287(g) partnerships for both the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Department of Corrections. In a May 21, 2025 letter, Rhoden asked DHS and ICE to establish a Task Force Model (TFM) agreement for SDHP, writing that the partnership would “enable us to better serve and meet the needs of South Dakota, help remove dangerous criminals, and keep drugs out of our communities.”
In a July 23, 2025 letter, Rhoden requested DOC participation in the Jail Enforcement Model (JFM) to help identify, process, and transport deportable inmates. He wrote that the program would allow DOC to “assist in the deportation of illegal alien inmates held in the South Dakota prison system.”
